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I'm sitting here, trying to write these articles. I realized I'm not cut out to be a writer. It's not like I ever thought I was. I mean, I enjoy it, but it's just not something I've ever wanted to pursue. I can't write unless I'm inspired or it's just not any good. I have about 5 half-written articles in my draft box on my email. I keep trying to finish them all, but it just won't come to me. This will be my last "My Views On Music" article, for the time being. I felt pressured to finish them all before November, because once November starts, all my free time will be spent on NaNoWriMo, and I highly doubt I will have the time to put in the effort that my articles deserve. (If you don't know NaNoWriMo is, feel free to look up article ID 6488) If you guys want more of this series, please say so, so when I do feel inspired again I have a reason to pick it back up and finish those articles.
Well, I've really enjoyed writing this series. I started this series for a few reasons. But I think the number one reason is because I was just frustrated. People have such a stereotype for the music I listen to, such a twisted view on it - I was sick of it. I hate that stereotype and I want to break it.
Where I live we don't have very many Christian radio stations. It's not fair. Drive one hour in any direction from where I am right now, and you'll hit several amazing Christian radio stations. But none right where I am. Like three or so Christian radio stations come in here, but they all play the same stuff. The contemporary Christian music. And not that there's anything wrong with that kind of music, some of it is amazing. But it's lacking variety. Props to any Christian radio station, but sometimes the ones that I have here, I kind of just want to punch them in the face. They are helping along the stereotype that I'm trying so hard to break. Instead, I listen to radio stations online. People think that all there is to Christian music is the stuff they hear on all our lame radio stations. I hear, "I'd love to only listen to Christian music, but I just don't like that type of music," all the time. They have no clue what's out there. It kills me. Christian music is not limited to any genres. Christian music is everywhere, and you may not even realize it.
People think because I only listen to Christian music means I can't really love music that much. It means I couldn't be very passionate about music, right? WRONG. Just the opposite, actually. Sometimes I think because I only listen to Christian music means I am more passionate for music than I would be if I didn't. Actually, I'm sure of it.
I love showing the people my iPod after they hear I only listen to Christian music. I love to watch their expression when they find out I have some of their favorite music on there. I hear "They're Christian? I didn't know that!" all the time. I love watching their expression when they realize I have more songs than they do. I currently have way over 5,000 songs on my iPod and more is actually downloading as I type. I have a great variety in every genre you could ever possibly want.
I know I throw around the word "Christian music" a lot. I know a lot of bands don't like that. But, see, my definition of Christian music is different than some peoples. The bands I listen to don't have to claim the "Christian band" label for me to listen and support them. Jesus said go into the world and make disciples. This means be a light in the darkness. And you can't shine where it's already bright. So a lot of bands don't claim the "Christian band" label because it will limit them and people won't listen to them because of it. Instead, they're Christians in a band. Sounds the same, right? Well, apparently it means the world of a difference to some people. But to me, if you're Christian and you make music, you make Christian music. Once you're with God, everything you do should be a result of what He's done in your life. So I will support them as long as they are Christians in a band and their actions/music don't prove otherwise. Some music I listen to won't be played on a regular Christian radio station. And some music played on Christian radio stations I won't listen to. People have different standards and that's fine.
Some bands that fit into my standards that you may be surprised by, are: The Arcade Fire, Chris Daughtry, Dashboard Confessional, Emarosa, Forever The Sickest Kids, Progress In Color, Greeley Estates, Mae, MuteMath, My Favorite Highway, Eisley, Norma Jean, OneRepublic, Paramore, The Rocket Summer, Thrice, U2, As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada, Maylene and The Sons Of Disaster and many, many more.
I think I know why God gave me such a desire for Christian music, and why I feel so strongly about the wrongful stereotype it's given. He knows I won't be satisfied with the music the radio stations play, this thirst won't be quenched so easily. He knows I'd dig and dig until I find those bands. Even now, when my iPod has tons of music on it, I'm still dying to get more. I know there's tons still out there that are just waiting for me. I have an entire notebook that's almost completely full of lists of bands I still want and am trying to get.
I wouldn't have it any other way. It's so rewarding. It's so exciting. It's just an amazing experience. I think it's hard for people to understand why I get so excited when someone has on a t-shirt with a band I like. Or when I hear a song on at a store or on a random radio station. It thrills me to know that band is getting out there. And it's so encouraging. It reminds me of why I'm doing this. Radio stations such as Remedy.FM and The Effect and many others are just so encouraging to me. I feel like they're a part of what I'm trying to accomplish, and it's great to know I'm not in this by myself.
One more thing I need to get off my chest before I can wrap this up, Christian is not a genre. A genre is how you classify music by the way it sounds. And you cannot tell if music is Christian or not by how it sounds. It sounds no different than any other music.
Ask me to recommend some music, ask me my favorite bands, ask me any questions you may have. Feel free to just ask me anything.
Thanks for reading, hopefully I'll be talking to you guys again soon.
Much love,
-Andrea
Author's Note: Every article in this series was inspired by my music, which was playing while every article was written. All props go to the music and only the music, because without it, this series would obviously not be here.
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